Archbishop Murphy grad Riley Rayner, who helped lead the Wildcats to a third-place finish in Class 2A this past season, committed to play for the Saint Mary’s men’s soccer team next year.
Rayner scored nine goals and assisted on 10 other as a senior and was named to the All-Cascade first team.
Here’s the press release from the school:
MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary’s men’s soccer coach Adam Cooper announced a large class of 15 talented newcomers for the upcoming 2012 season.
The group joins 15 letterwinners from the historic 2011 team which won the program’s first West Coast Conference title and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
“This class has the potential to be big-time,” said Cooper. “We’ve got great diversity with this group with play-makers, ball winners, goal scorers, athletes and size. They provide us with depth in every position on the field and I fully expect each and every one of them to challenge for playing time from day one.”
Cooper’s diverse recruiting class comes from various parts of the nation which includes England, Tokyo (2), Texas, Washington (4) and California (7).
Sean Williams, Alan Williams, Chase Strombeck, Forrest Solis, Lukas Isaacson, Riley Rayner, Richard Martinez, Jake Stenberg, Lucas Champenois, Ben Chittick, Austin Allison, Jonathan Price, Derek Zimmerman, Will Kendall and Jesus Landeros will join the Gaels for the fall 2012 season.
“I am very confident in this group to not only contribute immediately, but also shape the future of our program helping us challenge for more WCC Championships and taking us deep into the NCAA Tournament,” continued Cooper.
Riley Rayner (F, 6-1, FR, Clinton, Wash./Archbishop Murphy)
High School: Attended Archbishop Murphy HS in Everett, Wash… played as a midfielder during sophomore and junior years with a combined eight goals and 16 assists… as a senior in 12 games scored nine goals with 10 assists playing as a forward… team went undefeated in the Cascade Conference, earning the title… in 2011, the team won the conference title, first place District One Championship and a state tournament quarterfinalist… honors included team captain, a “Five to Watch” for the 2012 Boys’ HS soccer season for the Snohomish Island and Skagit county areas by the Everett Herald… led the Cascade Conference in assists, third in total points… club team was the Northwest Nationals from 2008-12… in four years scored a combined 30 goals with 21 assists.
